WIESBADEN – Consumer prices in Germany were 1.8% higher in September 2017 compared with September 2016. In August 2017, the inflation rate as measured by the consumer price index was 1.8%, too. Compared with August 2017, the consumer price index increased by 0.1% in September 2017. The Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) thus confirms its provisional overall results of 28 September 2017.

In September 2017, the prices of energy products were up 2.7% year on year. The increase in energy prices was higher than the overall rise in prices and had a strong upward effect on the inflation rate. In September 2017, prices were up year on year especially for mineral oil products (+6.2%, of which heating oil: +12.9%; motor fuels: +4.5%) and electricity (+2.0%). Only gas prices declined on a year earlier (-2.5%). Excluding energy prices, the inflation rate would have been +1.7% in September 2017.

Food prices in September 2017 rose 3.6% year on year, their increase being even larger than that of energy prices. In September 2017, above all edible fats and oils (+34.2%) were more expensive than a year earlier. Due to the further price increase, consumers had to pay markedly more for butter (+70.4%) in particular. The prices of dairy products, too, increased considerably (+15.0%). Price increases were also recorded, among other things, for fish and fish products (+3.4%) and for meat and meat products (+2.6%). Only the prices of vegetables (total) were down year on year (-4.4%). Excluding energy and food prices, the inflation rate would have been +1.5% in September 2017.

Compared with the overall inflation rate, the prices of goods as a whole increased by an above-average 2.2% in September 2017 on a year earlier, which was mainly due to the rise in energy prices (+2.7%) and food prices (+3.6%). Significant year-on-year price increases were also recorded for other goods, especially for newspapers and periodicals (+5.2%) and tobacco products (+4.3%).

Compared with goods prices, the year-on-year increase in service prices as a whole (+1.6%) was less marked in September 2017. The development of service prices had a downward effect on the inflation rate. A major factor contributing to the increase in service prices was the development of net rents exclusive of heating expenses (+1.7% on September 2016), as households spent a large part of their consumption expenditure on this item. In addition, price increases were observed, for example, for maintenance and repair of vehicles (+3.5%) and catering services (+2.5%). However, consumers paid markedly less for services of social facilities (–7.3%). Furthermore, the prices of telecommunication services declined year on year (–0.7%).

Change in September 2017 on August 2017Compared with August 2017, the consumer price index rose slightly by 0.1% in September 2017. Considerable month-on-month price increases were recorded for clothing (+6.2%) and footwear (+4.3%). A major reason here was the changeover to the autumn/winter collection. In September 2017, energy prices increased by 1.2% month on month, especially for mineral oil products (+2.7%, of which heating oil: +4.9%; motor fuels: +2.1%).

Food prices (total), too, increased in September 2017 (+0.6%) compared with the previous month. Above all, the prices of edible fats and oils (+5.4%, including butter: +8.9%) and of fruit (+2.2%) were up month on month. However, vegetables (–0.6%, including potatoes: –6,4%) were an example of declining food prices.

Due to the end of the summer holidays in September, considerable month-on-month price decreases were recorded for package holidays (–11.6%, including international holidays: –12.0%) and air tickets (–6.5%).

Detailed data and long time series of consumer price statistics can also be found in the GenesisOnline database in tables 61111-0004 and 61111-0006 (consumer price index) as well as in tables 61121-0002 and 61121-0004 (harmonised consumer price index).

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